The First Day of the Twelfth Loop
Zziiing!__
I jolted awake, clutching my head as a faint headache throbbed behind my eyes.
The shock must have been greater than I expected, considering I had almost exploded my skull just to kill myself.
'Thinking about it... I never imagined this would be the first time I chose suicide on my own.'__
'It would have been better to endure the humiliation and live on... but even that choice carries its own regrets.'__
A wave of sadness, anger, sorrow, and guilt for not living up to the lives I had lived washed over me.
And then...__
'I realized I should never have approached the One-Gate Dharma Refiner so carelessly...'__
The chill ran down my spine again.
What kind of monster was that bastard...__
I shook my head vigorously, pushing the disturbing thoughts aside.
But there was something far more important to focus on...__
Zzrrrit!__
The stomach-wrenching pain returned, as if my abdomen had been sliced open with a blade.
Yet I found myself smiling faintly.
'It worked once more...'__
The Black Ghost Curse Banner had activated. Its effect was real!__
And if my soul, connected to that banner, transferred intact...!__
That was the moment I concentrated my consciousness.
Zziiing!__
The headache, which had persisted since I woke, intensified even further.
'What is this?'__
It hurts!__
As if a blade were stabbing my soul!__
'Was this not just the aftereffect of bursting my head with the Invisible Sword?'__
The pain that had haunted me since waking continued to torment my head, now worse.
And when I focused my consciousness, it only grew sharper... something was wrong.
'The size of my consciousness isn't the issue.'__
The Five Elements Blood Curse Flags still held my consciousness firmly in place.
This pain was nothing like the one that had exploded my head beforehand.
It felt...__
'Exactly like having my flesh torn away...'__
I finally understood the source of the agony.
'My soul has been ripped away!'__
It hadn't been torn out completely.
In terms of the body, it was as if only the skin had been flayed off.
Yet there was no doubt it had been 'torn.' The exact spot was clear...__
'The very place where the specter and my soul had been connected!'__
That was it.
The specter had been torn away along with that part of my soul and vanished somewhere.
Which meant...__
'The Law Treasure could return with the regression, but if it carries true intelligence, it will be torn away when crossing time with me?'__
When I observed the wound on my soul, it looked as if some rough force had grabbed and torn it while I desperately tried to pass through...__
'My connection with the item was accepted to some degree, but the moment true intelligence appeared, it became a problem.'__
I gave a bitter smile.
If the specter was returning with me, then my colleagues' souls and Hyang-hwa's soul might...__
'No. Forget it.'__
I pushed the fleeting thoughts away.
'After all, each life is unique, so I should cherish them even more.'__
Yes. That was all there was to it.
Just as I finished organizing my thoughts...__
Hwaaah!__
"Hmph!"__
I tilted my head slightly, dodging the hand reaching for my cheek.
'What, dodge?'__
Thinking back, I had forgotten about the Sleep Art that would have knocked me out instantly, distracted as I was by confirming the Law Treasure's inheritance and the specter's transfer.
"You bastard! Do you even know what you've done right now?!"__
"Ahaha..."__
Somehow, his voice sounded strangely cheerful.
This man... I hadn't heard that tone in a very long time.
He was bouncing around in his usual irritable manner, yet I let out a chuckle and patted his shoulder.
"If you keep getting angry like this, it won't be good for your mental health. Calm down."__
"W-what?"__
Listening to a guy over nine hundred years old, like that old fool Won Rip, or a madman over sixteen hundred like the One-Gate Dharma Refiner, rant and rave... it felt almost...__
'Cute.'__
It was the same feeling as watching a three-year-old child toddling around in front of me.
Honestly, even if I had been slapped on the cheek just now, I probably wouldn't have minded.
What else could this guy do besides slapping my cheek and cursing cutely?__
He wasn't going to dissect me or suddenly slaughter everyone around him...__
"Seo Eun-hyun, you ^%$&$%$^..."__
"Okay, okay, I get it. Take a deep breath."__
I let him keep hitting me, pounding my shoulders with fists that couldn't land a single blow, until he finally gave up and collapsed in exhaustion.
I patted his shoulder as he lay there, staring at the worried faces of my colleagues: Kim Young-hoon, Oh Cha-jang, Kang Min-hee, Oh Hye-seo, and Kim Yeon.
I turned away from the panting Jeon Myeong-hoon and looked at the familiar faces of my companions after a long time.
'Everyone looks as if it's been ages since we last saw each other.'__
I gazed at them and thought.
They were still muttering about finding an SUV, figuring out where we were, completely unaware that this world was different from their own.
It felt strangely different to watch them like that.
And for the first time in a long while, I spoke to them again.
"...Let me check the area by climbing up that tree over there. See if there's a road or our car nearby."__
"Hm? Seo Sunbae. You can climb?"__
"Yes, just wait a moment."__
Tat!__
I carried them on my back and, by manipulating the internal qi and muscle movements to their extreme, ascended the tree using only my legs without any inner energy.
I reached the treetop in moments, surveyed the scenery of Deungsunhyang, and descended.
"There's nothing around."__
"...What on earth did you just do?"__
Oh Cha-jang stared at me with wide eyes.
I had climbed a few meters of tree in the blink of an eye, carrying them on my back... it was unbelievable.
I answered vaguely.
"You might as well say it was weird. Ever since I woke up here, my body feels strangely light."__
"...Haa..."__
Once more, the group split into two.
Oh Hye-seo and Kim Yeon headed with me toward the cave,
while Kang Min-hee, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Kim Young-hoon, and Oh Hyun-seok searched the surroundings for an SUV.
"Oh, a cave."__
"Indeed."__
They sat down inside and, together with me, gathered branches to make a windbreak and a campfire.
This time, I didn't need Kim Young-hoon's lighter.
Bwooong!__
Chiiik!__
I grabbed a suitable branch and brushed it lightly against a small patch of dry wood... and fire instantly ignited on the surface.
It was an extreme compression of muscles, accelerating to the limit in a martial technique.
I carried the flames to the torches and then swung the branch again to extinguish them.
"...Eh? What are you doing?"__
Oh Hye-seo stared at me with wide eyes.
I answered vaguely again.
"It just worked out."__
Later, I gathered forest fruits from nearby and roasted them with the others, waiting for the rest of the group.
When evening came, the others returned, and I shared the fruits with them.
Jeon Myeong-hoon refused to eat what I gave him, but I persistently urged him to try one.
In the end, despite his anger, he ate the fruit I offered.
We chatted late into the night.
'It has been... a very long time.'__
Sharing such a relaxed conversation with them was almost unheard of in four hundred years.
In all previous lives, from the very beginning—whether fox hunting or facing the One-Gate Dharma Refiner—I had been caught up in events and never truly conversed with them properly.
And the lives before that were over four or five hundred years ago, so I was feeling something completely new.
Of course...__
"Sunbae Seo, is the smartphone still not receiving a signal? No data either... where exactly are we?"__
"...Hm."__
'Data... what was it again?'__
I roughly remembered smartphones. They seemed similar to pagers.
But the finer details about 'data' and such were a bit hazy.
It had been in use nine hundred years ago, and I hadn't heard of such things for several hundred years... so it was confusing.
'Hm... I should ask Kim Young-hoon later about modern items and memories from our company days.'__
As my consciousness grew larger, my memory improved, but nine hundred years was still a long time.
And I hadn't met the modern colleagues in a while... their memories were now faint.
"Sunbae Seo? The GPS is dead too. The air is strangely clear. Is this really Korea?"__
"...You might as well say it is."__
I found it hard to follow their words and joined the conversation.
But chatting with my colleagues after such a long time made my heart feel lighter.
* * *__
Huiiiii―__
All the colleagues fell asleep.
I stepped outside and headed toward the place where Hwang Ju-sam was waiting.
Thanks to not putting them to sleep immediately, I had enjoyed a rare conversation... but I had missed the chance to eat the ginseng.
Udeok, udeok...__
I ate the ginseng and underwent a complete body transformation.
My consciousness domain settled firmly, and without the Five Elements Blood Curse Flags, it filled the surroundings completely.
The consciousness domain of Core Formation stage.
It was no weaker than that of the fox spirit in comparison.
"Huu..."__
I felt the inner energy flowing through my dantian and stood up.
I didn't need to form a golden core either.
The golden core could be made anytime, and more importantly...__
Uuuuung!__
I manifested a Ganghwan in the void.
The Ganghwan began to crack in the void.
'If I had a golden core, creating Ganghwans would have been much easier... that's why I used to form one all along...'__
I had been practicing Ganghwans for over five hundred years, so my body was already proficient.
Now, even without a golden core, I could create and split them.
Uuuuung!__
Nine Ganghwans lined up in the void.
Sseureuk!__
The nine Ganghwans melted, merging with my consciousness domain to form the Invisible Sword.
I held the Invisible Sword and focused my mind once more.
'After forming the golden core, I didn't merge it directly into the Invisible Sword... but...'__
The true essence of Wol-dap-cheon was pulling out the 'real power' of Wol-do-ip-cheon.
In other words, if I had wielded it before...__
Uuuuuung!__
'I can still control it now.'__
Piiiit!__
The Invisible Sword changed.
It became even more transparent and hollow.
Visually nothing had changed, but...__
Swoong!__
When I swung the Invisible Sword, the outside of the nearby tree remained intact while only its interior was sliced away.
'As expected, I can reproduce the realm of Wol-dap-cheon to a certain degree.'__
Of course, implementing Wol-dap-cheon with only the Invisible Sword without a golden core required far more mental energy and was tiring.
But it was still possible.
It was the moment I observed the realm of Wol-dap-cheon.
Kuwoong!__
The familiar fellow reappeared.
It was the fox. __[How dare the owner of the forest stand tall...?]__
He had sensed my Core Formation consciousness domain and come to investigate.
I didn't wait for him to speak and swung the Invisible Sword directly.
Swook!__
[...!]__
My Invisible Sword pierced straight through the fox's skin and reached its vital organs.
And in that state, it extended in all directions to touch the fox's major organs and core.
If I willed it, I could leave the skin intact and tear out only the organs and core.
'If I quietly extract the core like this, the One-Gate Dharma Refiner won't notice.'__
The fox's eyes filled with terror.
D-deok, d-deok...__
I watched it tremble calmly for a moment.
Then, a short while later...__
Sseureureuk...__
I pulled the Invisible Sword back from the fox's body.
[....]__
The fox sensed the overwhelming difference between us and simply closed its mouth, rolling its eyes as it stared at me.
'I will spare your life.'__
[G-gamja...hamnida...]__
'Hand over the core.'__
[...!]__
I had decided to help the fox a little.
[T-that's...]__
'Will you offer the core as a broken piece, or as a whole?'__
[Uuu...]()
When I pressed with the Invisible Sword, the fox whimpered and finally spat out a pure white bead.
Uuuuung!__
I caught the white bead, and the fox's massive body gradually shrank.
And soon, it had returned to a normal three-tailed fox.
"King, kiing..."__
The fox, having lost its intelligence, stared blankly at my hand holding its core with greedy eyes.
Then, realizing who held it, it startled and tried to run.
Uuuuung!__
I grabbed the fox's tail with the Invisible Sword and pulled it forward, while the fox squealed in terror.
"Shut up. Stay by my side for a few days."__
I lightly tapped the fox's head and brought it back into the cave.
The next day.
The company colleagues, especially the female employees, were astonished to find a three-tailed fox inside the cave.
"W-what is this?"__
"A sudden mutation?"__
"No, it's actually... adorable."__
Kim Young-hoon and Oh Hyun-seok were also stunned to see the three-tailed fox, and even Jeon Myeong-hoon widened his eyes.
"W-what is this?! It's a monster!"__
They gathered and discussed the fox.
Then...__
Sseureureureuk...__
A two-headed red snake appeared again.
'This guy is also something I haven't seen in a while.'__
[H-humans...]()__
"U-uaaah...!"__
[Strange... smell...]()__
Swook, swook...__
[Your blood...]()__
The snake, mid-sentence, met my gaze.
Saaaah―__
I unleashed my consciousness domain and a killing intent, causing the snake to close its mouth.
[...Hm. Over there, there's a tree with delicious fruits. Enjoy the Deungsunhyang.]__
The snake turned and fled immediately upon seeing my signal, and the company workers were horrified to see the two-headed snake.
They discussed how this world was not normal.
I watched them for a moment and waited for the Cheon-in that would arrive in a few days.
* * *__
A few days later.
Ku gu gu gu gu!__
The familiar faces descended from the sky.
Baekgol Gwima, the lord of the Black Ghost Bone Valley elders.
Geum Byeok-ho, the Supreme Sect Master of the Geumshin Cheonroe Sect.
Changhoza, the founder of Changheon Gaebyeokmun.
The three Cheon-in selected disciples in the void.
This time, I was not even forming a golden core, and my consciousness domain at Core Formation stage was suppressed by the Five Elements Blood Curse Flags and Eon-sik-sul to maintain Qi Condensation level, so I was completely outside their attention.
After a rough aptitude test by Geum Byeok-ho, everyone lost interest upon hearing 'O-yeong-geun.'__ LT__/p>
'If they had examined it more carefully, they would have discovered the Five Elements Blood Curse Flags... but...'__
After confirming I was O-yeong-geun, they seemed to lose all interest.
The only one who showed any interest was Changhoza...__
[You possess a golden core at Core Formation stage.]__
"Yes."__
[Hm, perhaps...]__
Changhoza looked at me and spoke.
[Could you deliver this golden core to the Cheongmun Clan estate in Byeokra Kingdom? It would benefit my descendants.]__
"...Haa."__
Uung!__
Changhoza pressed the recommendation seal of the Cheongmun Clan onto my hand back.
[If you send it, I will grant you the recommendation to become an external member of the Cheongmun Clan. How about it?]__
[Tsk, what are you bargaining for? You're no different from an insignificant person. If I were you, I'd just take it.]__
Geum Byeok-ho looked at such a Changhoza and stuffed Jeon Myeong-ho into his sleeve.
Changhoza clicked his tongue.
[Stealing a young disciple's thing for what? Besides, whether we have this golden core or not is of little consequence.]__
[Hmph. We leave first.]__
The Black Ghost Bone Valley and Geumshin Cheonroe Sect departed ahead of Changhoza, who then patted my shoulder.
[Other Cheon-in will come after us. If you want to leave Deungsunhyang, ask them. I am currently raising the power of Cheongcheon-gap, so I cannot freely manipulate space.]__
But right now, as we approach the Ascend Gate, it is a fortunate time. If you ask, each of them will accept you.]__
With that said, he flew into the sky and followed Geum Byeok-ho and Baekgol Gwima.
"...Haa."__
I watched Changhoza fly away.
The next day.
Kureung, kureureung...__
Seo Hyoel appeared.
He was again muttering to himself as he carried Oh Hye-seo and flew away.
I didn't say a word to him this time and didn't even look at him.
'Sorry, Sunbae Oh Hye-seo.'__
It was already set in stone.
Fate had its own will, and no matter how many times I tried to defy it, I could only hasten the results.
In this life, I had no intention of straining to pass my colleagues to a stronger Cheon-in.
'After all, with my current power, I cannot change anything.'__
Moving for no reason would only cause more confusion without changing the outcome.
'Sorry, everyone.'__
With Oh Hye-seo gone, I looked at Kim Yeon, who was grieving, and Kim Young-hoon.
Then, in the evening...__
Kim Yeon awakened her consciousness, and the One-Gate Dharma Refiner flew in.
Startle!__
The moment I saw the familiar face of the One-Gate Dharma Refiner, a chill ran through my entire body... yet I remained expressionless, carefully concealing both my intention and my state of mind.
The One-Gate Dharma Refiner declared he would take Kim Yeon as his disciple and opened a spatial rift, hurling Kim Young-hoon and me inside without mercy.
Using the power of the Eon-sik-sul, I also pulled the trembling fox with me and grabbed its neck, falling into the spatial rift.
Beyond the rift, seeing Kim Young-hoon and myself disappear in front of her... Kim Yeon reached out desperately.
'Ah...'__
As I observed the color of Kim Yeon's consciousness, I finally understood what Kim Young-hoon had said in Cheon-saek Castle.
* * *__
"...!"__
Upe, upe!__
I opened my eyes beyond the void and suddenly felt my breath caught.
This place... this place was...!__
Invisible Sword!__
Bwooong!__
Kwaaah!__
"Kuhuhuk!"__
I panted for breath.
'The One-Gate Dharma Refiner, you madman...!'__
I looked around at the place I had appeared and caught my breath.
The place I had appeared in was 'underground.'__
'Does randomly transmitting someone include the underground?!'__
It was fortunate that I had obtained the Invisible Sword in this situation.
'Hm... wait.'__
I hurriedly released my consciousness domain and searched for Kim Young-hoon.
Kim Young-hoon and the fox I had brought were both trapped underground.
I dug up the ground with the Invisible Sword, unearthed them, and surveyed the surroundings.
"Hm..."__
Familiar characters and language.
This place was...__
"Th-that man popped out from underground..."__
"What?"__
"Strange clothes..."__
It was the bustling streets of Yeon Kingdom.
I approached one of the people surrounding me and asked.
"Is this... Yeon Kingdom?"__
I recalled the memory of my first life and realized this was the capital of Yeon Kingdom.
"I haven't been here in a long time."__
I lifted the unconscious Kim Young-hoon and the fox, quickly using the stealth technique to escape their sight.
And I quickly exterminated nearby rogue cultivators and bandits, gathered money, and...__
With lightning speed, I created Kim Young-hoon's identification and prepared a manor for him to live in.
I put Kim Young-hoon to sleep and quickly handled the rest.
I hired servants to manage the manor and scholars to teach him language, characters, and culture.
And I left him with all the martial arts secrets I remembered.
And the secrets to reach Five Qi Consorting with the Origin, Deungbongjogeuk, Wol-do-ip-cheon, and Wol-dap-cheon.
Then I threw the core I had been keeping for the fox.
Ke-ke-ke!__
The fox swallowed the core and revealed its massive body once more from inside the manor.
The fox rolled its eyes at me.
"Since the Ascend Gate will open soon, if we had stayed in Deungsunhyang, it would have been taken from you."__
[G-gamja...hamnida. Sunbae-nim.]__
'One request.'__
[Yes, please...]()__
'Instead of saving you, protect this human for me.'__
I pointed at Kim Young-hoon.
The fox immediately prostrated itself and nodded frantically.
[Yes, yes...]__
'One day I will return, so do not eat humans.'__
[Understood. I will remember.]__
'Good. Done.'__
I looked at Kim Young-hoon for a moment and then set off to handle the remaining tasks of this life.
I checked everything.
And now I had reached Wol-dap-cheon, comparable to Nascent Soul stage.
What remained was...__
'After finishing the remaining tasks, I will return to Deungsunhyang.'__
From the day I began cultivating martial arts and dreaming of becoming a sword master...__
The goal I had set since the distant past...__
'With at least some power, now...'__
I looked at the sky.
'I will investigate the Ascend Gate.'__
Something I had planned to do once.
If I got caught in a space storm, I might die...__
But it was still a goal I had planned since the distant past.
It was time to investigate it.
'Sorry, everyone.'__
None of you could be protected.
So in this life, I would dedicate this life to finding a way to return home one day.
I flew swiftly into the void.